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Three potential destinations for Donovan Mitchell

By Presley Meyer

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 16: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz calls a play as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers defends during the first half of a game at Staples Center on January 16, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Pepsi Center on March 9, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 09: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets drives past Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks at Pepsi Center on March 9, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Denver

Mitchell was initially drafted to the Nuggets back in 2017 but ultimately wound up in Utah after Denver traded its pick away. One is left to think about the potential trajectory of each franchise were the Nuggets to wind up with a player like Mitchell who excels at getting to the basket.

The Nuggets are a year-in, year-out playoff team that has massively underachieved once they reach the postseason.

Denver’s missing piece is someone who can create his own shot from the one or two and provide more spacing for teammates.

If Mitchell does want out, the Nuggets have a ton of pieces to put around a young All-Star guard. It may be unthinkable, but the Jazz definitely are in need of a four, and either Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr. would be a potential fit as another young talented future All-Star.

Both squads losing their young star seems counterintuitive on the surface but a guy like Porter would be a great fit on a team that has lots of nice role players. The Jazz could slide Jordan Clarkson into a starting role and Mike Conley would be in more of a go-to scorer fit.

Wherever he were to wind up, Mitchell is in need of another go-to scorer and the Nuggets have that in Nikola Jokic, who is one of the more underrated players in the league, averaging a double double (20 points, 10 rebounds) in 2020. He’d be the missing piece on a team that needs another All-Star to compete with the likes of the Lakers and Clippers in the West.

This is probably the longest shot but could be beneficial to both teams. Big-time stars don’t often jump from small market to small market, and Mitchell may be looking for a trip to a more “desirable” location if he does indeed put out trade feelers.

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